Easel display-box.



No. 675,733. Patented June 4, l90l. H. W. HILDEBRAND.

- EA SEL DISPLAY BOX.

(Appligation filed Feb. 28, 1901.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY W. HILDEBRAND, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

EASEL DISPLAY-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 675,733, dated June 4, 1901. Application filed February 28, 1901. Serial r8. 49,288. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I,HENRY W.HILDEBRAND, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, have invented certain new of my invention are, first, to provide a fold-' ing and unfolding easel-box that will stand in a vertically-disposed position on showcases, counters, shelves, and in the windows of stores and that is adapted to hold and display medicines and medical preparations in drug-stores and many other kinds of goods in dry-goods, jewelry, and notion stores, such as gloves, neckties, laces, jewelry, stationery, and trinkets; second, to provide an advertising easel display-box; third, to provide a box that can be cut out in one piece and then folded together, and, fourth, to provide a box that can be cut out into a number of separate pieces and'which can be secured together into an easel display-box. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan viewof the outline or form of an integral card, which is cut out by a die into a form that can be folded into my display easel-box. Fig. 2 shows a side elevation of the card of Fig. 1 after its first fold. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the card of Fig. 1 after its second fold into a box. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the box after the card of Fig. 1 has received its third fold. Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the box after the card has received its fourth fold into a box. Fig.7 is a plan view of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 shows a side elevation of the com-j pleted box folded up from the card of Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the front or ad vertising and display side of the completed easel display-box.

Similar figures of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a thin card of any material that can be folded without breaking and that is suitable for use for display-boxes. I preferably use, however, cardboard; but any other material or combination of materialssuch as cardboard covered with leather, or linen or cotton or rubber cloth-may be used. This thin card is cut out of large sheets of cardboard by a suitable die and punch in a manner that is commonly used and iswell understood. Consequently I do not consider it nec essary to illustrate them. This card, which I Will call hereinafter the box-form, is of irregular outline and comprises a band portion 2, which extends from the edge line 3 to the folding-line 4, which in the box-form as shown in Fig. 1 is not visible, but is shown as a dotted line, as it is the folding-line of the several members of the box-form. The band portion 2 between the edges 3 and 4 forms the side of the body of the box and the edge 3 the front edge and the line 4 the back edge of the body of the box. From the line 4 of the band portion 2 four different members 5, 6, 7, and 8 project. The member 8 is of rectangular form and forms a part of the back of the box and folds down from that portion of the band portion 2 from which it projects. That portion of the band 2 that lies along the member 8 forms one end of the box. The member 6 forms the opposite half of the back of the box. This member is also of rectangular form; but the extreme end is provided with oppositely-arranged recesses 9 and 10, that are positioned at a short distance from the top edge of the member, which are so arranged that they form at the opposite corners two cars 11 and 12. These ears are adapted to fit into two diagonally-arranged and oppositely-disposed slots 13 and 14, which are cut into the upper edge of the member 8-. These slots are positioned and adapted to receive the ears when the two members 6 and 8 are folded over to form the back of the box. The portion of the band from which the member 6 projects forms the opposite end of the box from the member 8 and its portion of the band 2. From the band 2 and between the members 6 and S the member 7 projects. This member is in outline the frustum of a tri-' angle. The band 2 forms the base and the sides converge to the outer edge, which is flat and is of preferably the same height as member 8. At substantially an equal distance from the center of the width of the member 7 and near to the edge of the member 7 two ears 15 and 16 are formed by cutting slots of preferably U-shaped form through the boxform, and centrally of the member 7 a brace or tongue-member portion 17 is cut loose by a slot 18. This brace portion consists of a tapering piece of cardboard that starts from and is the widest at the edge 4 of the band and extends to near the top edge of the member 7. It is made long enough to lap over the center of the width of the back members 0 and S, and at its end ahead portion 19 is formed, that contains a locking-slot 20 in its neck portion 21 between the head and body portion of the brace portion. The projecting member 5 is similar in outline to the member 7 and contains ajsimilar brace portion 22; but near its edge portion two vertical slots 23 and 2+t are cut into it, which are positioned a little closer togetherand to receive the ears 15 and 16 of the member 7. These members 5 and 7 form the easel-supporting portion of the box, while the brace portions are adapted to extend transversely across the back members 6 and S of the box and lock to each other, as shown in Fig. 5, and form a transverse brace across the back members. The portions of the band that form the base of the members 5 and 7 form the sides of the box when it is folded up. The member (3 is shown longer than the members 8, 5, and 7; but as all these members are made long enough to overlie each other they may be made all of the same length. The band 2 contains an extension 25, which extends beyond the end of the member 8 far enough to enable it to be secured to the opposite end at the extremity of the member 5 whenit is folded into abox, which operation I will now describe.

The box-form is first folded twice in the same direction, once through the band 2 between the members 5 and (l and then through the band between the members 7 and 8, which brings the opposite ends of the band together. The extending portion 25 of the band of the box-form is then laid to overlap the opposite end of the band, as shown by the dotted line 25 in Fig. 2, and thetwo ends are secured together by paste, glue, or by any other suitable means, thus forming the sides and ends of the box, and the members 5, 6, 7, and 8 then stand in a vertical position, as shown in Fig. 2. When the two ends of the box have been fastened together, as shown in Fig. 2, the boxmanufacturers generally flatten it before they ship it to the dealers, which is done by folding it at diagonally opposite corners of the band until the ends 6 and 8 lie against the sidesthat is, the end 6 would fold against the side 7 and the side 5 would fold against the end S. The end members 6 and S are next folded over in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 2 and the ears of the members 6 are inserted in the slots of the member 8, as shown in Fig. 3, thus forming the back of the box. The sides or easel portions still stand vertically, as shown in Fig. 4. The brace portions 17 and 22 are next folded from the side members 5 and 7 in the direction of the dotted lines in Fig. 4c, and their neck portions, each of which contains a slot, are inserted in the slots of the others, thus locking the m together transversely across the back members of the box, as shown in Fig. 5. The sides are next folded over, as shown in Fig. 6 by the dotted lines, and form a triangular support, with the end of each bent down the side of the opposite side member, so that they overlap one another, which strengthens the apex of the angle. They are then fastened together by insorting the ears of the member 7 in the slots of the member 5, as shown in Fig. 7. The several members of the box-form have now all been folded into an easel display-box,which can be set up as shown in Fig. 8, being supported in an inclined vertical position on one of the inclined ends of the said members, or it can be supported on its sides, as either side of the triangular easel portion will support it firmly.

I preferably provide the box with side covers 26 and 27 and with end covers 26 and 27, which are adapted to fold from its sides and top over its front. The sides preferably overlap one another, which allows the articles placed therein to be entirely inclosed, and by unfastening the easel sides and folding them down flat against the back the boxes maybe made up and be filled with goods and tied up and shipped to distant points.

The covers may be made an integral part of the box-form and be cut out at the same time that it is. Thus in Fig. 1 I show a cover 27, depending from the side 3 of the band 2, as an integral part of the band. The covers 26, 2G, and 27 in Fig.1 are outlined in dotted lines to show their relative position on the band to the sides 5 and ends 6 and 8. I preferably make these covers independent of the box-form and glue or fasten them to the insides of the box after it is made up, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6. They are intended to be made up in diiferent colors and designs to suit the fancy of customers. hen desired, either the side or top covers can be left off of the box.

While I preferably make the box-form in one integral piece of material, as shown in Fig. 1, yet my invention contemplates each member-that is, the side and end pieces, with the integral portion of the band 2, which forms their base-cut out by itself, with extending end portions 25 of the band formed on both ends of them instead of only at one end, as shown in Fig. 1 at the member 8. The top edge of the end member 6 is shown with a concaved outline. This is not essential, as

it could be made straight; but the edges of the ears if out at an inclination converging toward the band of the box are more in direct line with the angle of the slots in the opposite end member than if out straight across or otherwise.

While I have shown the members 5, 6, 7, and 8 and the outer edge of the band with straight side lines, my invention contemplates any variation fancy may desire in their shape or contour. Thus the side of all may be cut into scallops, as shown in dotted lines in the member 8 in Fig. 1, or into other regular or irregular outlines.

The box-forms as shown in Fig. 1 can be cutout in large numbers by box-manufacturers, and after theiropposite ends are fastened together they can be shipped knocked down or lying flat to stationery and dry-goods dealers and drug-houses and to manufacturers of the various articles suitable for showcase and window and counter display in that condition, and they can finish folding them into boxes as they use them and fill them with their goods and then redistribute them to dealers or display them, as the case may be.

My invention is inexpensive to make and is also simple, useful, and ornamental and is very light of weight in proportion to its strength.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a folding easel display-box, the combination of a box-form of any suitable material comprising a band portion having its free ends adapted to be folded and secured together to form the sides and ends of the box, a rectangular, back end member projecting from one end of the box-form containing diagonal slots, a side member adjacent to said back end member having converging sides and containing in its center a free brace portion cut loose from its body by a slot and having a head and neck portion, a slot in the neck portion of each brace member, a pair of loose ears cut loose from said side member near its top edge, a second rectangular member at the side of the said portion containing ears adapted to fit into the slots of the first-named rectangular member, a second side member projecting from said band portion having also converging sides and containing a loose member having a head and neck portion containing a slot in its central portion similar to the brace member in the first-named side member and adapted to lock therein and slots near the edge of said side members adapted to receive the ears of said first-named brace and having said side and end brace members arranged and adapted to fold and fasten together as herein set forth and described.

2. In a display-box, the combination of the band portion having extending portions adapted to form side and end portions and arranged in alternate order, and having one of the end members containing two slots converging toward each other at its end edge and having two ears formed one at each corner of the edge of the opposite end member adapted to fit into the slots of the first-named end member and having the side members contain each a loose tongue or brace member out free from their central portions and arranged when said side portions are positioned opposite each other to stand in reverse order, a slot near the end of each tongue portion adapted to receive the edge of the 0pposite one whereby said tongue portions are secured together, and having said side members provided with converging sides from said band to their ends and two vertical slots in one of said side members and two ear portions cut loose from the opposite side member'and adapted to lock into the said vertical slots of the opposite side member, and having said band member arranged to fold into the sides and ends of said box and to be secured together, and said end members to fold into and to be secured together to form the back of said box and said tongue or brace members to fold transversely across and be se cured together over said end members and said back and having said side members enough longer than said back-forming members to fold over and fasten together at a suitable distance from said side and back members of said box to form an easel-supporting member for them and with folding covers secured to the sides of said band portion of said box adapted to fold over and cover the top or entrance to said box, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY W. HILDEBRAND.

Witnesses:

BESSIE THOMPSON, MEL EMERSON PETERS. 

